The Dougloid Papers

devoted to the pursuit of all things of interest to former Douglas Aircraft workers and anything else that looks remotely interesting.
I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. . . . I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD-William Lloyd Garrison

Monday, July 28, 2008

What Does This Man Know That You Don't?

What does this man know that you don't? It's simple. This is the third time in a row that Wim Van Sevenant of Belgium has received the Lantern Rouge, folks. That's right, he's been dead last in the last three Tours.

And you know what else? That's the face of a man who never-NEVER gives up, or thinks he's got business elsewhere that's more pressing, or that maybe it's getting pretty lonely in the back of the pack and the beer's on ice at the next village, or maybe he ought to tip the nitro can so to speak and move up a few places in the standings.

No, friends, look on the face of a man who never quits.

Wim finished 145th. And that means he is one of a select few, because in the Tour, many are called but few are chosen. He's a credit to Silence-Lotto and the great nation of Belgium.

Photo courtesy of Amaury Sport Organisation, bes' li'l ole promoter in France, doncha know, because they can put on a SHOW, cantcha see?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Big Enchilada Stage 17 and The Red Lantern

I've been glued to the teevee every morning watching the Tour (and there are many cycle races but there is only one Tour), and Alpe d'Huez lived up to its fearsome reputation today as a breaker of riders and a general kicker of asses. It's said that it has winnowed the field down to a favored few, and that makes the next stage all the more important, particularly for those who've got some skill in time trials.

America's being represented by Chicagoan Chris Van Develde whom you can read about by clicking on his name. It's a great article by Paul Kimmage of the Times and well worth the time. Give it your kind attention. He's the guy on the right taking a snooze. Of course, Team Columbia and Team Garmin Chipotle are carrying the flag and it's something to see two yanqui teams this year even if the riders hail from all over.

Another interesting thing I heard in the commentary a couple days ago. On Oscar Pereiro, the default winner of the 2006 Tour, Phil Liggett said "Nobody here thinks Oscar Pereiro won the 2006 Tour." That's right, folks.

Something I hadn't noted before but in retrospect it seems obvious. I do not know whether it is an official award these days, but if it isn't it should damn well be.

That is the Lantern Rouge, which is the guy who comes in dead last in the Tour but makes it all the way to Paris. I'd buy each and every one of them a beer if they were here.

About Me

I'm a semi retired attorney and amp mechanic in central Iowa. I'm laying off the law and anything else I do not like due to my recent encounter with the Grim Reaper. Well. We passed by each other in the night and I got away clean. I moderate the posts here and I delete without comment those that attack me personally and are generally sophomoric, unlettered and play games with the truth.
This blog isn't a public toilet and you don't get to write on the walls here, people.
OUR CO-EDITOR: Darla Mondou comes to us through a fortuitous convergence of interest in ag law issues and technology-provided by those wonderful folks at Google and Blogger, who provide the forum. Darla is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and Graduate program in Agricultural Law, she hails from all over like me, and she is currently working on court appointed appeals in the federal system. It pays the bills.